Orwell’s Rules for Good Language Essay

Good written and vocal language is essential for effective converse. Writing in 1946, George Orwell points to nearly(prenominal) problems with the coetaneous usance of English. In his estimation, these problems lead to meaningless utterances that atomic number 18 unclear and im little. Orwell interprets several suggestions for improving the purpose of English avoid metaphors and over-used figures of speech, use short voice dialogue in the place of long nomenclature, cut out gratuitous words, use the active voice, avoid the use of jargon by utilize words from everyday English, and break the rules if berthline them will create a pedagogy lacking in sophistication.These suggestions passel be used as a measuring stick to gauge different authors use of the English language. The writings of three authors were analyzed using Orwells suggestions as a guideline, and it was found that Cuthbertson and pubic hair violate the principles of unassailable English time Lutz activ ely campaigns for the use of clear, precise English. In From the Right, Mike Cuthbertson violates many of Orwells rules and as a result, the writing lacks clarity, and the vision is not vivid. incur for spokesperson the avocation sentence To accomplish this, I full well knew that some concessions to my gardener wife would be necessary. In this sentence, the author has some unnecessary words (full well) and uses a passive construction at the end of the sentence. This sentence could be more precise with the implementation of Orwells rules To accomplish this, I knew that I must make concessions to my gardener wife. some other example of Cuthbertsons use of the passive voice appears in the weding sentence So rural was the area that I actually go to a oneness-room school house for grades one and two (no kindergarten, then) before a brand new amalgamated school was built in the liquidation and all the area kids were bused to it. Later in the passage, Cuthbertson uses a long, rel atively curious word when a shorter, more frequently used word would subscribe to his meaning just as well magnanimously proposed could be replaced with altruistically proposed. Throughout the passage, Cuthbertson uses figures of speech that have been so over-used they have lost their cowman under the watchful eye, to earn our harbour, at that tender age, the fairer sex, my better half, to keep my ego firmly in check, to lose myself in a bang-up novel, and been put in my place. To be fair to Cuthbertson, it should be noted that he appears to have used this style of writing to serve a literary purpose, namely the evocation of his childhood years exhausted in a farming community and the lessons that continue to be felt in his sustain hitched with life. However, the authors passive voice and over-used figures of speech detract from the imagery he seems to want to create in the readers mind. His communication would have been much more effective if he had created new slip commi ssion of describing his situation. Alastair McKies compilation some of George W.Bushs statements contains some stare examples of poor English. Not only does Bush violate Orwells suggestions for good English, he appears to be incapable of constructing proper sentences and using words correctly. For example, Bush repeats a made-up word, misunderestimated, three times in one paragraph. In another paragraph, Bush remarks that book counters and airplanes will fly. Flying ticket counters would surely be a remarkable occurrence While the flying ticket counters remark is humorous, other of Bushs statements are just confusing.Take for example, We are fully committed to working with both sides to bring the take aim of terror down to an acceptable level for both. If the United States and its allies are one side of the war on terror and the other side are the terrorists, is Bush look that he is willing to work with the earth of which he is president? Shouldnt that go without saying? Bus h, or at the very least his speechwriters, would have greatly benefited from reading Orwells essay, the following sentence in particular Probably it is better to put take out using words as long as possible and get ones meaning as clear as one can through pictures and sensations. If Bush had a clear idea of what he wanted to say, maybe he would be better at saying it. Orwell has a further suggestion that could help Bush on his dash to becoming a clear thinker who uses rhetoric more effectively. For Orwell, improvements in these areas will lead towards political improvements If one gets rid of these habits one can think more clearly, and to think clearly is a necessary inaugural step toward political regeneration. In contrast, George Orwell would have greatly admired William Lutz. Lutz spent sixteen years collecting examples of double-speak which he then compiled into a book. approximately of these examples are euphemisms for the most horrid things dehired and non-retained (i. e. fired) and negative patient care proceeds (i. e. death following a medical procedure). These euphemisms are similar in function to those, mentioned by Orwell, intended to mask indescribable horrors of war or to rationalize abhorrent behavior. Others of Lutzs examples are needlessly complicated phrasings of childly concepts Exit access is that part of a means of egress that leads to an launching or an exit. All those words simply indicate a way of accessing a door or window.Still other examples are barely funny occasional protein spill (i. e. vomit) and television with non-multicolor capability (i. e. a disastrous and white television). These examples are similar to those cited by Orwell when he speaks of the relationship amid euphemisms and insincerity. He finds that when writers are insincere, they cloak their real feelings in lofty, verbose language. whiz hopes that with Lutzs drawing attention to the sheer amount of doublespeak that exists in our world, population will become more aware of how empty it is and stop using it.In conclusion, Cuthbertson and Bush violate the principles of good English while Lutz actively campaigns for the use of clear, precise English. These three examples come from different genres autobiography, speech, and non-fiction. As such, they provide evidence for the importance of good English as a communication tool in all areas of life. Orwells principles are effective guidelines to follow in any means of communication. After all, it is important to be clear, concise, and precise when communicating with others.